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New policy: Routine volunteers now need school board approval
by Gregory R. Norfleet · News · July 02, 2015


Regular and routine volunteers must receive approval by the West Branch Board of Education under a new district policy passed in June.


The school board voted 4-1 to approve the measure, with board member Deb Schreiber voting “no.”

Schreiber argued that the district already requires background checks, so adding board approval “seems to slow things down.”

West Branch High School Principal Shannon Bucknell said volunteers could be allowed to start before the school board but under the understanding their continued participation would be contingent on board approval.

Superintendent Kevin Hatfield called the board approval a “safety piece” of the policy, making board members aware of everyone with regular and repeated contact with pupils.

“It goes give us extra protection,” he said.

The superintendent noted that recurring volunteers are subject to the same disciplinary guidelines as staff.

“You are working with our students,” he said of volunteers, “You don’t have the right to say anything you want to say.”

He said that “99 percent of the time volunteers are wonderful,” yet there have been “a couple instances” that make this policy necessary.

Board Vice President Mike Colbert said creating a list of volunteers also makes those names “public knowledge.”

Examples of “regular, routine volunteers that may need approval,” according to the policy, include: volunteer coaches, classroom helpers, tutors, Kid Writing volunteers, marching band volunteers, cafeteria/playground volunteers and musical chaperones.

Examples of volunteers not requiring approval include volunteers for field trips, fun days, book fairs, junior achievement activities, fundraisers, track & field days, events/assemblies set up and cleanup, dances, as well as guest speakers, guest readers, and special presenters.

The required/not required lists come with a note that the lists themselves are not all-inclusive.

“The District retains the right to deny a request to volunteer or revoke a volunteer’s participation at any time,” the policy states.

Hatfield notes that volunteers may receive compensation for certain expenses, like mileage, and must work under the direct supervision of certain staff members.